| Since the invention of soy wax in 1992 by Michael | | | | deposited in your lungs. This is the main reason why |
| Richards, soy wax has grown exponentially in | | | | on the bottom of your candle, it always says; make |
| popularity. Soy wax is a cleaner alternative to paraffin | | | | sure to burn in a well ventilated area. If the air is not |
| wax which is a byproduct of petroleum. Before 1992, | | | | being circulated, you will end up with soot in your |
| the only alternative to paraffin was beeswax. Soy is | | | | lungs, not to mention on your walls and ceiling. |
| a much cheaper (up to ten times) alternative to | | | | Although this is a highly contested area, it is thought |
| beeswax and is also considered to perform better | | | | by many that burning petroleum based products such |
| when it comes to pillar candles. Let it be known, | | | | as paraffin candles can release carcinogens into the |
| however, that pure soy pillar candles, (pillar candles | | | | air. On the same note, it is thought that since soy |
| that contain only 100% soy wax) do not exist. Pure | | | | does not contain petroleum and has a different |
| soy is much too soft to be used to make pillars. | | | | chemical makeup than paraffin; burning soy pillar |
| These days however, since soy pillar candles have | | | | candles does not release carcinogens into the air. |
| become very popular; the majority of the soy wax | | | | Now, just to be clear, soy wax does produce white |
| blends that are being used contain soy wax and | | | | soot while paraffin produces black, petro-carbon |
| other botanical oils and do not contain petroleum | | | | based soot. Either way, you should always burn your |
| based products. Be careful though, and make sure | | | | candles in a well ventilated area, whether they are |
| your soy candles do not contain paraffin. A good | | | | soy pillar candles or paraffin candles. |
| example of a soy wax that performs well when used | | | | While arguments can be made by both sides and |
| to make soy pillar candles is EcoSoya PB. This wax | | | | there really isn't enough evidence out there to make |
| contains a vast majority of soy wax and other | | | | any conclusive remarks concerning the health benefits |
| carefully chosen botanical oils so the wax will keep its | | | | of soy pillar candles over paraffin pillar candles, |
| shape. | | | | though it seems logical to deduce that it is more likely |
| When it comes to health benefits, it's really quite | | | | that soy is better for you than paraffin. There is a |
| simple. Soy wax produces no petroleum based soot. | | | | plethora of information making cases for either side. |
| Have you ever burned a paraffin jar candle? If you | | | | So if you are concerned, I suggest that you do your |
| have, you've noticed that when the candle has | | | | own research and make your own decisions about |
| burned down, the interior of the jar is left with a | | | | the health benefits of soy as compared to the |
| nasty black residue. Now imagine this residue being | | | | possible health detriments of paraffin wax. |